The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-06-25

IN fact we had just as little to do with
determining the selection and arrange
ment then, as row. Make a point of
UNCONVENTIONAL pride; but, practi-
cally, the lessons would be no better
suited to our purpose then, than now.
Or do some have the idea that if we
were represented on that Committee,
we could control it and make it do as
we pleased? That would be rather hard
on the self respect Of the other den0m-
nations, would it not9 Doubtless a
Universalist member on that Commit
tee could offer occasionally, valuable
suggestions that would have weight.
So he can, if not member of the Com
mittee, and doubtlessly, just about as
effectively, if not more so. So it seems
to me that the mere objection which
appeals to our self esteem is not suffi-
cient, unless reinforced by others OF
far greater practical force.
II. The second objection which we
hear, is that the Lessons are arranged
for the special purpose of teaching the
doctrines of Orthodoxy" We will
neither affirm or deny this; though we
think the aim is to give general
knowledge of what the Bible contains,
so far as the method of selection will
allow, and such portions as more es.
pecially bear upon religious life and
duty and belief, of course as related to
that; but l am not aware of the fact, if
it be fact, of any systematic arrange
ment of passages to prove the doctrine
of the Athanasian Trinity, or teetotal
corruption of human nature, of predes-
tination before the world was, to heaven
or hell, Of substitutional atonement, of
endless punishment, etc. If they have
deliberately done any such thing, am
unaware Of it. Though it is possible
that their views may have some slight
influence in leading their selections, be-
cause they might from that cause re-
gard some passages of peculiar impOr-
tance, more than they really were, and
underrate others, as Universalisb also
might. But think that has very lit
tie to do with it. And, even if it were
all true in this respect, as the stoutest
Universalist objector claims, it still, l
think, is the very best policy the Uni
versalist Church can pursue,-to put
out the same Bible Lessons, side by
side with theirs, with our denomina-
tional treatment Of the passages upon
which they rely to teach partialism. 1t
is the best antidote we could send
forth. If we should not do this they
may say, and make many believe, that,
we purposely avoid much of the Scrip
ture in our instruction, because we fear
that it is against us, and because we
wish our people to be kept in the dark,
or unacquainted with the fact that there
is any such Scripture, so far as we can
help it. If we adopt the same Bible
Lessons, we prevent all this. We let
the world know that the Universalist
church is Bible church; that it does
not garble the Book, or wish to keep
any of it back in the interests of its pet
dogma. 1t says to them, and to the
world, that we are able and willing to
meet them on their own ground, with
their own selections and beat them
the
III. But it is objected, in the third
place, this system gives us no room to
teach our own faith. We are all the
time unteaching" Orthodoxy we want
chance to teach Universalism. No
doubt single and special doctrines, like
the final triumph of the Gospel, Bar-
tism, endless punishment, popery,
Episcopacy, Presbyterianism, Congre-
gatiOnalism, etc., which distinguishes
the sects are of much importance, more
so to the sect distinguished by them
than to one who takes a broad, sym
metrical, Well-proportioned view of
Christianity. All sects are distortions,
and each distorts to supply the lack
caused by the distortions of the others.
Each sect must emphasize its specially,
or it is no longer sect. But along with
this special emphasis, it is not to be
forgotten that the great work of the
church, is to teach the symmetrical,
prOpOrtioned Christianity, as scheme
of doctrine and life set forth in the
holy Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments. 1t should carry on its
speciality, but not at the expense of
that. The Christian religion first sec
tarianism after that, and for the sake
of that. The greater must not be for
gotten for the less. seems to me
that those who use the term "Univer-
salism, as embracing the whole range
of the Christian religion, will find no
difficulty in teaching it from the Bible
passages of the International Lessons;
while those, who, by "UniveTsalism, "
mean simply its special dogma, can also
teach it from the International Les
sons, certainly, and l think positively
DIR. J. w. Hanson, when once asked
by an orthodox minister upon what text
he would rely to teach the doctrine of
Universalism, replied; "These shall
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